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Published: October 2nd 2022
Strasbourg Cathedral
Built between 1000 and 1400 AD, this cathedral was the world’s tallest building until 1847. It is the sixth largest church in the world.We slept on a fold out couch last night. Not all of us. Just Sue and me. It was better than many beds I’ve been on, so we’re rested up and heading to breakfast in the city centre. We will do the day on foot,
The apartment has a 1990s decor, combining salmon carpets, beige and cream striped wallpaper with walnut veneer cabinets but, other than no coffee or milk, it was perfect for our agenda.
Just getting a bit off track; while I think of it I’ll make an important announcement about fuelling up your car. Most of the service centres we have visited are stand alone, self serve , unstaffed stations and quiet a few wouldn’t accept my credit or debit card. The debit card is a European founded company, ING, and a Citibank credit card, so it’s not the country of origin that’s the issue. You can’t pay in cash ( no staff ) and the way it works is that you insert your card , choose your product, the machine takes a hold on 150€, yes 150€, you pump in the petrol, and your card is corrected after a few days. And that brings up
Quack Quack
The French certainly know how to draw attention to themselves, and their business another potential problem; you need to have access to 150€, even for smaller purchases.
My banks are aware of the countries I’m travelling through, so the problem is not from the Australian end, so I have no solution to the problem. Luckily, I’m travelling with someone who has European cards, so it’s never been an insurmountable issue.
Just a thought.
The self appointed parking attendant, a gypsy who will direct you to a parking place, in a car parking area enclosed in a small plaza, that he had commandeered for the day. After paying a small fee, you have bought the comfort and reassurance that your car will suffer no damage or scratches, if you know what I mean.
It’s a common racket, and works on the same principle as the assistance you receive at train ticket machines, and in my experience, the taxi ticket assistance you can receive at Bali Airport. Sucked in Steve.
We ate breakfast outdoors on a morning considered cool by some, but I preferred to sit outside, away from the bustle and noise. I had a plain omelet, and made the mistake of taking a risk on a cappuccino. I’m
Falling Croc
I thought someone threw a crocodile from the roof… not sure if the French are just too lazy to pour a good one, or maybe they have no idea. Tomorrow I will walk down to Babbo’s a couple of times, and get the sort I’ve been spoilt by.
Today was a Pink Ribbon Day, and hundreds of women and men wore pink outfits, pink pigs on their heads, pink tutus, men wore multi coloured wigs, and there was a fun run with three different routes of difficulty to include the fitness fanatics who might want a challenge, and softer versions for softer people. Various avenues of moving around the town were cut off but it was for a good cause, so it’s all good.
The Australian Cricket fast bowler, Glenn McGrath , started the Pink Ribbon Foundation for breast cancer promotion and funding breast cancer nurses, and I am putting out a plea, as a fellow Australian and retired cricketer ( I was smart and retired before I began ), to organise these days for when I’m not in town. I’m all for the Foundation, but if he contacts me, I will get my people to release my calendar to him.
Strasbourg proudly promotes it‘s position as
the Capital of Europe on the side of its trams, as the EU parliament sits there. It sits in France near the German border, and the architecture of the buildings built in the 1900s and earlier are heavily influenced by the German occupation of those times.
We had a couple of hours to get a feel for the city before the poor weather set in, and Natalia was our driver for the hazardous drive to Luxembourg.
I enjoyed Strasbourg, but to be honest it was a quick look; like jumping off a tourist bus for an hour, ticking it off, and then heading to the next attraction. Another time might warrant a closer look.
The next two days are in Luxembourg and I want to reduce my travelling bag A LOT before going to the Netherlands. I just take too much stuff, too many clothes, and it all lies in the bottom of my suitcase now, not to be looked at for the rest of the trip. Next time I’ll go back to my backpack; you have to make serious decisions then, about what to take and what to leave.
Dinner was smoked ribs from the local Portuguese joint.
I’m sure smoke kills off any hygiene issues, but tomorrow will tell the tale.
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Home and Away
Bob Carlsen
Packing...
as a former pilgrim you know exactly what to pack! As for pink, my wife Linda had a lumpectomy on Friday and is doing well now at home. Thanks for your pink support!